The "Bitch" is back

Those who are quick to call Hillary Clinton a "bitch" have to admit this: the "bitch" is bad.

Clinton led tonight's debate and reaffirmed her control over the Democratic primary  race.  Barack Obama and John Edwards gave less than stellar performances and were booed by the audience at times.  The other candidates may as well have been pieces of furniture, as the moderator and questioners were clearly focused on the top 3 candidates. 

So here's the rundown:

1. Debate opening format reinforced frontrunners' status. The opening format of the debate reinforced perceptions that Clinton is the frontrunner, Obama and Edwards are second and thrid respectively, and the other candidates are just accessories.  The first question went to Clinton, then the moderator invited Obama to pipe in and a debate ensued between the #1 and #2 candidates.  Next Edwards was invited to join the debate.  The first 15 minutes or so of the debate were very heated and focused only on the top 3 candidates.  They catfought about social security, healthcare and giving drivers licenses to undocumented workers.  The other candidates either weren't permitted to speak or spoke very little during this time.

2. Barack Obama attacked Clinton for "triangulating" and then "triangulated" himself. Obama called out Clinton for waffling in the last debate on whether or not undocumented workers should have drivers licenses, noting that she didn't take a clear stand on the matter until 2 weeks following the debate.  After all the candidates catfought over the matter, each candidate was asked for a yes or no answer to whether or not they support giving drivers licenses to undocumented workers.  Obama babbled through his less than crystal clear answer. In contrast, Clinton gave a firm, one-word response: "No."

Obama did give a funny one-liner though, when making the point that whether or not undocumented workers can have drivers licenses is not a core issue to improving immigration policy. "Undocumented workers don't come here to drive," he said. (Okay, maybe you had to be there, but it was really funny when he said it). 

3. Edwards's agressive attacks on Cinton may have backfired.   In response to a question about whether he will support the Democratic candidate no matter who she it is, Edwards asked, "Is that a planted question?" (referring to allegations that Clinton once planted a student to ask her a question at an event).   The joke got little laughter, if any.  Edwards also got booed by the audience, when he commented on Clinton's answer to a question on gender.

4. Clinton's gender question answer was bad ass.  Clinton's answer to the gender card question was one that reaffirmed her position as frontrunner, shared experiences that every woman can relate to, and psyched women up to have our first woman president. Watch part of her answer below.